Despite efforts to adapt and evolve, in-house counsel continues to confront an enduring perception of being both slow-moving and overly cautious. A recent study dissecting this issue divulged that such an image is so prevalent, business segments deliberately exclude legal from new proposals until vital decisions have already been made. A prominent 70% of the…
In the backdrop of rather promising financial projections for most law firms in 2023, a significant shift is anticipated in structural dynamics between law firms and their clients. Major corporate clients are revealing intentions to redirect more legal work in-house. The Association of Corporate Counsel and Everlaw recently released a report titled “The State of…
In the evolving legal landscape, employers are grappling with issues related to marijuana laws. As more states provide for the medical and recreational use of marijuana, there are a host of inconsistencies that are causing companies considerable difficulty in forming consistent drug-testing policies. These are necessary for a variety of circumstances, from pre-employment screenings to…
The chief legal officer of HanesBrands, Tracy Preston, has been elected as the chair of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s (ACC) global board of directors for 2024, according to an announcement on Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc. With more than 45,000 in-house counsels worldwide counting on the ACC for representation, the change in leadership came with…
The esteemed law firm Morrison & Foerster’s State and Local Government Task Force continues to make inroads into producing insightful and timely digests through its bimonthly newsletter. Now in its October 2023 edition, this particular newsletter provides a comprehensive summary of the most important and intriguing developments across the nation from an array of state…
In a significant development affecting deal makers, corporate executives, and in-house counsel alike, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has introduced a new policy for Mergers & Acquisitions. Announced by Deputy Attorney General (AG) Lisa Monaco on October 4, 2023, the DOJ’s new safe harbor policy aims to provide protection for acquirers who discover malpractices…
Law firms are navigating a new frontier as artificial intelligence (AI) integrates more and more into the legal workspace. In-house counsel is growing wary of these systems, explicitly requesting that law firms avoid using AI tools, like ChatGPT, with their company data. The fear is that these tools may inadvertently disclose sensitive, confidential, and even…
As reported by JD Supra, the Governor of New York recently penned new legislation expanding employers’ obligations to notify their employees about unemployment benefits. This heightened requirement will soon be a reality for employers across the state. The novel law now requires New York-based employers to notify employees of their potential eligibility for unemployment benefits…
Facing financial adversity, pharmacy chain Rite Aid has recently notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of its consideration to file for bankruptcy. As of the past Sunday, the company has proceeded to officially file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, marking a significant development in the corporate legal sphere. This information was released to…
In an eye-opening turn of events, recent findings revealed that a significant percentage of in-house counsel are seemingly dissatisfied in their roles. According to a recently released survey, a majority of these professionals expressed their discontent, with two-thirds of participants indicating that they were either seeking or were receptive to new job opportunities. Within the…
In the evolving landscape of corporate communications, the intersection of personal devices and messaging platforms can pose significant challenges for in-house counsel, as an article on JDSupra, Personal Devices and Messaging Platforms in the Workplace: Tips, Tactics and Best Practices for In-House Counsel, illustrates. With employees increasingly using their own devices and personal messaging platforms…
On December 1st, the legal landscape of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry will be thrust into the spotlight in New York, NY. A major Hybrid Event: Developments in Pharmaceutical and Biotech Patent Law 2023 is turning heads and garnering attention from legal professionals overseeing corporate law in major corporations and law firms worldwide. 2023 marks…
In a recent article published on Above the Law, attention was drawn to a number of legal issues that have piqued the interest of professionals in the field. An intriguing case was highlighted where a member of the music group, The Fugees, has argued that his lawyer’s use of artificial intelligence should warrant him a…
Practitioners from corporate law departments and law firms alike may find some common ground and points of reflection within the communication of Meyling “Mey” Ly Ortiz, who, despite her evident passion for her in-house role at Toyota Motor North America, recently admitted to missing a few aspects of firm life. In her recent write-up “3…
In a recent installment on motherhood in the legal profession, lawyer, wife and mother Kate Landis shared her experiences of being the financial backbone for her family while working in a high-pressure legal job. She confessed that the feat was not possible without her husband, who opted out of his career to support hers and…
As legal professionals and corporate counsel, it is our obligation to innovate and adapt to changing dimensions within our industry. In this context, an upcoming webinar, titled “Eye on ESI”, is of particular interest as it promises to unite leading figures in the field for an insightful, focused discussion. This novel session scheduled for November…
As the clock ticks towards the end of September 2023, it is vital to gather an understanding of prominent international anti-corruption law developments. Designed particularly for the busy in-house counsel, compliance professionals, and anti-corruption lawyers, here is a roundup of the most important developments that surfaced and dominated the month: There have been revelations regarding…
The cloud-based law practice management company ZenCase has announced the appointment of Olivia Mockel, a seasoned lawyer and legal technology executive, as its president and chief operating officer. Mockel issued a statement announcing she’s eager to usher in efficiency among legal professionals through innovative legal technology. “ZenCase is a platform that allows law firms with…
In today’s challenging legal landscape, concerns are rising among leaders of in-house legal departments. Lawyers, increasingly faced with high levels of dissatisfaction and burnout, are searching for new employment, potentially adding to an already overwhelmed in-house counsel sector. A major concern is the perceived deficit of resources needed for them to fulfill their roles efficiently,…
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is putting forth new regulations that would require victims of malicious hacks to report the breaches. These regulations, which would be among the agency’s first, could mandate the disclosure of cyberattacks, particularly those involving ransomware and other network compromises. Under the proposed regulations, companies in 16 crucial…
On October 10, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) amended the beneficial ownership reporting requirements under Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). This change marks the most substantial reform to these regulations since the adoption of the Williams Act in 1968, according to Wilson Sonsini Goodrich…
As we move deeper into the digital era, the stakes for corporate legal departments are raised higher in the struggle to keep pace with ever-evolving technological advancements. Among the most impactful of recent advancements is generative artificial intelligence (AI). According to a recent Gartner poll, 55% of organizations are using generative AI to drive their…
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is stirring different emotions in legal departments across the globe. The early adopters, however, have reached a critical realization – the potential of AI to make them more efficient, strategic business advisers; a key success metric for the in-house attorneys of today. The interplay of emotions, ranging from anxiety to exhilaration,…
In 2024, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer-coverage affordability percentage will enter its lowest threshold since the ACA’s inception. Based on information the IRS recently released, the 2024 inflation-adjusted amounts will cause a decrease from the 9.12% affordability percentage in 2023 to 8.39% for 2024. This rate change is significant for employers who are obliged…
Welcome to another review of important legal news destined for the perusal of globally minded lawyers, Law firms, and in-house counsel. As the week wraps up, it brings with it a sentiment of unity in the legal world. In a significant show of solidarity, around 400 attorneys, from more than two dozen prominent law firms,…